furrow
Americannoun
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a narrow groove made in the ground, especially by a plow.
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a narrow groovelike or trenchlike depression in any surface.
the furrows of a wrinkled face.
verb (used with object)
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to make a furrow or furrows in.
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to make wrinkles in (the face).
to furrow one's brow.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a long narrow trench made in the ground by a plough or a trench resembling this
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any long deep groove, esp a deep wrinkle on the forehead
verb
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to develop or cause to develop furrows or wrinkles
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to make a furrow or furrows in (land)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of furrow
before 900; Middle English forwe, furgh, Old English furh; cognate with Old Frisian furch, Old High German fur ( u ) h ( German Furche ), Latin porca ridge between furrows
Explanation
A furrow is a groove or a depression. Originally, furrows were created in soil for water to flow. Now, its most common meaning is of a deep line or wrinkle on the face, as in a "furrowed brow." Furrow is related to the old English word farrow, meaning "to root like a swine," which makes sense, seeing as both acts create trenches in the earth. Sometimes a furrow simply means the impression left by a cart wheel or tire track in the mud. In a non-agricultural sense, a furrow is also simply a slight groove or depression or series of indentations in the surface of any object.
Vocabulary lists containing furrow
The Lingo of Body Language
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Touching Spirit Bear
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The evidence points to more intensive farming methods, such as ridge and furrow ploughing to limit erosion and more focused gardening practices.
From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026
"So I tried to take a pretty free hand with it and kind of plow my own furrow."
From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026
Harris is exceptionally good at the furrow, the side-eye, the chin stroke, and the silent, syrup-scented “Bless his heart.”
From Slate • Sep. 11, 2024
“You never want a young audience to go see a movie and furrow their brow thinking, ‘Who is this person?
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2024
I stare into the silvered gray of his eyes, taking note of the way his brows furrow, forming deep, displeased lines.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
